- Callsign "NASA747" redirects here. For other NASA 747s, see NASA 747.
SOFIA on its first flight.
Clipper Lindbergh (registration: N747NA) is an ex-Pan Am Boeing 747SP. It is currently operated by NASA, and has been heavily modified. It was christened "Clipper Lindbergh" by Pan Am on the 50th anniversary of the historic flight of the Spirit of St. Louis, the first non-stop trans-Atlantic flight, which was performed by Charles Lindbergh. It was acquired by NASA to replace the KAO facility. NASA and DLR heavily modified the 747 by adding a fuselage door that can open in flight, to let the onboard telescope operate. The 747 now hosts the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy facility (SOFIA).